Audiovox SIR-BB1 Sirius Satellite Radio Portable Boombox for SIR-PNP2 Receiver

by Sirius Satellite Radio

Product Details

Product Manual [912kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001DDKQM
• Item model number: SIR-BB1
• Batteries: 8 D batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Now you can bring Sirius satellite radio to any room in the house or any outdoor gathering with the Audiovox SIR-BB1 boombox. We tested the boombox with the Audiovox SIR-PNP2 Sirius satellite radio receiver, which is required for use and not included--the SIR-BB1 boombox on its own produces no sound. With the receiver locked in place, however (as pictured), you'll enjoy the full breadth of exciting music and talk radio encompassed by the Sirius digital radio service. (A Sirius subscription is required, $12.95 per month or a one-time fee of $499.99).

Setup for the system is amazingly simple: snap the receiver into its bay, plug in the AC/DC power adapter, attach the supplied 20-foot Sirius radio antenna, position the antenna near a window, fire up the boombox, and select one of the service's 100-plus stations. There's a volume/on/off knob and a switch to engage the unit's auxiliary audio input--and that's it for controls. Plug in headphones or an audio "Y" adapter cable (not included) to channel sound to your integrated amplifier or surround receiver for listening through external loudspeakers.

For their part, the 2 speakers built into the SIR-BB1 are pretty decent. They're not strong in the bass department, but we wouldn't call their sound thin, either. Overall the unit's sound is even-keeled and extremely listenable, much better than the sound from systems that try to squeeze more bass out of their speakers than the electronics can credibly handle. To that end, we were impressed with how loudly the boombox plays, and with minimal distortion--even on a seemingly meager 5 watts per channel (x 2).

Use of the headphone jack disables the speakers, but an auxiliary audio output would have permitted integrating the boombox with a powered subwoofer. At this price, though, it's hard to justify a complaint about the absence of an output.

You'll need to position the boombox in a place where it can readily lock to a satellite transmission, which we found easily. Several spots worked fine, and even a west-facing window obstructed by a large cherry tree proved sufficient.

When reception gets hazy due to weather conditions or satellite positions, the audio program mutes briefly rather than getting fuzzy or more distant-sounding, as it would with an analog FM-radio signal. This can prove annoying, but in our lengthy evaluation, brief lost-signal mutes were infrequent at most (to the tune of 1 or fewer mutes per hour).

There's no remote control for the boombox. The receiver comes with one, but it doesn't control audio level, so while you can still change stations and browse genres from the receiver's remote, you can't turn the boombox volume up or down. For additional Sirius radio and subscription details, please visit www.sirius.com. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Simple setup and operation
• Good sound
• Plays loud with minimal distortion
• Front-panel auxiliary input grants access for CD, MP3, cassette, or other audio sources
• Headphone jack permits private listening or hookup with an integrated amplifier and external speakers

Cons:

• Occasional signal dropouts
• No tone controls
• Limited bass response

What's in the Box
SIR-BB1 portable boombox, high-gain antenna with 20-foot cable, AC power cord, and printed instruction booklet

Product Description

Portable Boom Box docking kit for Audiovox SIRPNP1 or SIRPNP2 Sirius tuners.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HOWARD STERN 2006 ! ! !, December 3, 2004

By 

Cary Chan (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audiovox SIR-BB1 Sirius Satellite Radio Portable Boombox for SIR-PNP2 Receiver (Electronics)

This will be my first month with sirius and I am very happy with the product. I'd thought about waiting till the end of next year to buy it because all I wanted to do was to listen to Howard Stern. But then I heard of his promotion plus sirius had special NFL programing. Then I saw this boombox, wow, I had to have it. I like it. Its portable so I can bring it from room to room (although I need to put my antenna by the window for the best reception). It works great. The only thing bad about it is you can't adjust the volume with your remote control (even though you can't also with your stereo unless you use your stereo's remote). so if the radio is playing a little too loud and you get a phone call you have to get up to lower it or turn it off. Otherwise this is a cool boombox. I see that they are also selling the SPB1 Sportster boombox and I'm thinking about getting that (new look), but check your reciever first. If you dont have Sportster SPR1 receiver the new sports boombox will not fit. For all you Stern fans out there, you dont have to wait till next year to get sirius. They have plenty of channels to keep you happy. If you dont want to pay monthly, they have a lifetime membership subcription as well so you wont be spending anything extra if you get it now instead of nex year. Satellite Radio is going be what cable television has change regular television.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen Anywhere, Anytime!!, December 7, 2004

By 

Weatherman (Northeast, Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audiovox SIR-BB1 Sirius Satellite Radio Portable Boombox for SIR-PNP2 Receiver (Electronics)

Great item! I've heard the SIR-BB1 will not be made anymore, so get them while you can! Sirius is the service if you like talk radio! Boombox has a great shape, you can stack something on top of it (if needed), speaker sound great. Don't delay, you or who you buy this for won't be disappointed! Just don't forget to order the PNP2 along with it as it won't work without the receiver! With this review, I'll stick to this item (the boombox), for more detailed information, see the PNP2 Receiver (that works with this) for great information on Sirius programs!

This boombox allows you to plug it in at home (comes with a powercord and adapter) or you can move it around inside the house or out and about outside!

Boombox is exactly as you see in the picture. However it comes with a "small folding black box" antenna that's weather proof (20 foot cord I think) that's about the size of a beeper, and a powercord (6 feet). You NEED the PNP2 receiver for this to work. Think of this boombox as the muscle (plays the music) and the PNP2 as the brains) gets music/talk/information from satellite. The MOST important thing with Satellite radios (be it XM or Sirius) is the antenna placement!! As in Sirius must face North Central USA (South Dakota area), XM must face the south (Florida).

An important thing that people need to know is that with Sirius (due to their satellite setup in the sky where they have 3 satellites moving in a figure 8 ofer N. America than going down to South America with always 2 satellites over North America) chances are you'll have to keep the antenna right near a window or outside. Otherwise your signal will drop every so often (due to Satellites rotating). Where XM the 2 satellites do not move (due to Geo sync orbit) and once you have a signal you won't loose it. I have my Sirius antenna superglued to the windowsill outside. And ALL of this is in the instructions, VERY simple and customer service is there 24/7 also!

However Sirius programming is worth having the antenna outside as you get the NFL, NFL 24/7 talk, lotsa talk stations for the "right" and "left" views and commercial free! And don't forget about great music channels, a live 24/7 Elvis channel that broadcasts from Graceland 24/7, and any type of music you can think of !

One other part you may want to order is the 50 foot adapter cord. That is, if the 20 feet of cord that come with this (on the antenna to boombox) is not enough, you can purchase a 50 foot Sirius TERK extension. You can connect two of the 50 foot cords together to give you a total of 120 feet (2 cords plus the antenna cord)! That's a LOT of cord!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than other reviewers let on, August 16, 2004

By 

J. Paul "sirius fan" (Bethlehem, PA US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Audiovox SIR-BB1 Sirius Satellite Radio Portable Boombox for SIR-PNP2 Receiver (Electronics)

After much consideration I bought this boombox along with the Audiovox shuttle (sirpnp2 tuner) for my wife as a birthday present. We both are astonished with how well it sounds. We have ordered the outdoor antenna so we can pretty much have it as a permanent fixture in our home but then unplug it and take it where we will, when we want. Sirius radio's programming warrants this boombox. If you were thinking of only having Sirius in your car, think again! Buy the boombox on it's own, and enjoy sirius at home!